House of Lords: Website

Lord Norton of Louth: asked the Chairman of Committees:
	How many hits were received by the House of Lords website in 2004; and how this compares with the figures for 2003 and 2002.

Lord Brabazon of Tara: An estimated 27 million hits were received on the House of Lords website in 2004. I regret that the historical data for the whole site are not available.
	Detailed figures are, however, available for that part of the Lords website which is hosted by TSO. This allows access to the key documents of the House such as Bills, Hansard, the Minute, and Select Committee reports. The number of hits on this part of the website was as follows:
	
		
			 Year 
			 2004 15,885,000 hits 
			 2003 12,470,000 hits 
			 2002 10,682,000 hits

Strategic Rail Authority: Mr Richard Bowker

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the severance package awarded to Richard Bowker following his resignation as chairman and chief executive of the Strategic Rail Authority.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Under the severance agreement, Mr Bowker was paid £377,157, of which £11,050 was paid into his personal pension plan. These payments were subject to tax and national insurance as appropriate. Associated legal fees incurred by Mr Bowker were also reimbursed.

Tote

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How long they have been in discussion with the European Commission about state aid clearance to sell the Tote at a discount to the Racing Trust; and when they anticipate closure on the talks.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The sale proposal was formally notified to the Commission in May last year, following earlier informal exchanges. It has been subject to discussion with the Commission since then. We expect an early indication of the Commission's view.

Tote

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend to sell the Tote to the Racing Trust at a discount; and, if so, what is the anticipated level of discount to market value.

Lord Davies of Oldham: It remains our intention to sell the Tote to the Racing Trust at fair value—a price which fairly reflects the legitimate interests of the taxpayer and of racing—subject to approval by the European Commission. That price will be based on an independent valuation which will take account of market conditions and other relevant circumstances at the time.

Tote

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there have been any formal complaints to the regulatory authorities, either in the United Kingdom or in the European Union, about their proposals to sell the Tote to the Racing Trust at a discount.

Lord Davies of Oldham: We are aware of one formal complaint to the European Commission about our proposals to sell the Tote to the Racing Trust at fair value.